Pockets for articles in sheet form

ABSTRACT

A pocket assembly for the storage or display of sheet material, particularly photographic transparencies such as microfiches, is formed from sheet material and has two folds to form a lip and a front and a back panel for the pocket. Information may be borne on the lip. The lip is inserted within a U-section strip having an inturned flange or bead at one mouth. The strip is longer than the pocket is wide, so that it projects each side of the pocket. These projections are used for mounting the pocket assembly. The parts are secured together by adhesive at each side of the pocket preapplied to one of the panels and protected before assembly by a tear-off strip. The adhesive secures together front and back panels and the U-section strip. The back panel has a portion extending inwardly beyond the strip which, in an array of pockets in a mount, fits within the U-section strip of an adjacent pocket to prevent material intended for the pocket being mistakenly inserted behind the back panel. Additional information strip may be fitted within the U-section strip.

United States Patent 91 [111 3,885,841

Stevens May 27, 1975 POCKETS FOR ARTICLES IN SHEET FORM [57] ABSTRACT lflvemol'i Arthur William Stevens A pocket assembly for the storage or display of sheet weslgate'on-seai England material, particularly photographic transparencies such as microfiches, is formed from sheet material and has two folds to form a lip and a front and a back panel for the pocket. Information may be borne on the [73] Assignee: Monodex Business Systems Limited,

Kent, England l l Filed? 1973 lip. The lip is inserted within a U-section strip having [21] Appl. No: 409,815 an inturned flange or bead at one mouth. The strip is longer than the pocket is wide, so that it projects each side of the pocket. These projections are used for U-S. i t R mounting the pocket assembly The parts are ecured [S l 1 III- together adhesive at each side of the pocket preap- Field of saith 3 plied to one of the panels and protected before assem- 40/359; 229/68 R bly by a tear-off strip. The adhesive secures together front and back panels and the U-section strip. The

[ Reielences Cited back panel has a portion extending inwardly beyond UNITED STATES PATENTS the strip which, in an array of pockets in a mount, fits 1,421,670 7/1922 Campbell etal 40 1242 Within the u-section Strip Of adjacmt Pocket to 2,274,909 3 1942 Murray 229/68 R pr n m rial intended for the pocket being mistak- 3,268,l53 8/1966 Stone 229/68 R enly inserted behind the back panel. Additional infor- 3,7 6.l80 7/1973 Spiroch 61 al 3 X mation strip may be fitted within the U-section strip.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 405,234 H1966 Switzerland 3l2/l84 Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Elliot A. Lackenbach POCKETS FOR ARTICLES IN SHEET FORM FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to pockets for articles of sheet or sheet-like form and is particularly concerned with pockets for storing or handling sheets which require protection, such as photographic negatives, particularly negatives carrying a very large number of individual exposures, known as microfichcs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A known way of storing cards is by mounting them in slotted backing sheets which can themselves be detachably mounted in a page-type mount by means of a resilient strip attached to the backing sheet, the strip having projecting ends which can he slipped under opposed overhanging ledges of the page-type mount. This is unsuitable for photographic negatives which firstly would have one surface unprotected and secondly would have to be removed from the slots by being pulled through the slots, when it is desired to copy them photographically. One solution to this problem has been to provide a number of conventional envelopes into which the negatives can be slipped, the envelopes being permanently secured to a single backing sheet. Envelopes have also been used for storing negatives in a filing drawer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to this invention we provide a pocket as sembly for articles of sheet or sheet-like form having an open mouth, one lip of the mouth being reinforced by a rigid or resilient channel which extends beyond both lateral edges of the pocket. The channel which is preferably of plastic resilient material or card strip may serve a number of functions. First it reinforces the mouth of the pocket because of its strength, secondly its lateral extensions may be used either to mount the pocket in a page-like mount which has opposed overhanging ledges under which the lateral extensions can he slipped or to mount it in a filing drawer or cabinet (for which purpose the ends are preferably notched) and thirdly it can receive a strip of material bearing information, e.g. about the contents of the pocket.

The channel may be adhesively secured to the pocket assembly with the lip embraced by the channel. The lip is part of a web forming the pocket, the web having a free edge folded outwardly at the lip, the outwardly folded portion being entirely received in the channel and preferably the free edge of the lip engaging behind a ledge adjacent the mount of the channel. The said outwardly folded lip portion of the web may be the strip bearing information (and so be integral with the pocket) and the information can be marked or imprinted on it, e.g. by typing, before assembly of the pocket. Alternatively or additionally an index strip may be inserted into the channel together with the lip.

Some forms of pocket according to the invention lend themselves particularly to convenient and simple assembly by the user (who may therefore write or type information on the pocket before assembly) and therefore according to another aspect of the invention there is provided, for assembly into a pocket for a sheet or sheet-like article, the combination of a sheet of material which can be folded along fold lines to form the pocket with a mouth one fold line providing an outturned lip at the mouth and a further fold line being at the bottom of the pocket, at least parts of the lateral edges of the sheet being coated with adhesive so that on assembly the lateral edges of the pocket can be sealed, and a length of rigid or resilient channel, preferably of plastics, which is engageable during assembly with a portion of the sheet which forms the lip of the mouth, the channel being of a length to extend beyond both lateral edges of the pocket in the assembled state. It is preferred that there is adhesive present to one side of the further fold line only. The adhesive at the lateral edges of the sheet may secure the channel to the pocket during assembly. The adhesive may be protected by a protective strip which can be peeled off before assembly.

Preferably the web adjacent the mouth of the pocket opposite the lip which is reinforced by the channel extends beyond the mouth in the flat condition of the pocket so as to provide a tongue which can engage the channel of an underlying and similar pocket in a generally planar but shingled array of pockets in which they overlap each other. For instance where the channel is open downwardly and embraces the lip of the pocket, the tongue may be received by the mouth of the channel, or where the channel is outside the pocket and is adhesively secured to the lip of the pocket, it may be received between the channel and the adjacent web of the pocket.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a plan view of a pocket according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged part section through the pocket of FIG. 1 along the line lIIl; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the parts of the pocket of FIGS. 1 and 2 before assembly.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative for one of the parts shown in FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a scrap section on the line VV, FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a face view of an array of pockets in a pagelike mount and FIG. 7 is a section on the line VIIVII, FIG. 6.

The pocket assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and of which the parts are shown in FIG. 3 is formed from a single one-piece sheet 21 of suitable material such as paper or a suitable board or plastic material. It has a first fold line 22 and second fold line 23 providing, when folded, two webs 24 and 25 forming the respective front and back panels of the pocket and a lip 26 integral with the front panel 24 which is folded over outwardly at the mouth 27 of the pocket and together with the lip 26 is received in a reinforcing channel 30 whose ends 31 extend beyond the lateral edges 33 and 34 of the pocket. The channel 30 is open downwardly (i.e. towards the first fold line) in the assembled form of the pocket and has an inturned flange 35 which catches the free edge of the lip 26. The lateral edges 33 and 34 are sealed by strips of adhesive 38 which are covered by protective strips 39 until assembly of the pocket. The back panel 25 of the pocket has a tapering extension portion 40 forming a tongue.

When a number of the pockets are arranged in overlapping formation as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 at A,B,C, the extension 40 can be slid into the slot formed between the lip 26 and front panel 24 of the underlying adjacent pocket assembly (the pocket assemblies being offset by an amount determined by the length of the extension 40 when its free edge abuts the fold line 23). This effectively prevents an article such as a microfiche 49 being inserted behind rather than into a pocket in the array. E.g. the extension 40b fits between the lip 26a and front panel 24a of panel A, and extension 400 between lip 26b and front panel 24b of panel B.

Although any mount whatsoever may be used, the one shown is a one-piece plastic mount 45 as described in U.K. Pat. No. 1332936, having a foraminate backing surface 48, opposed overchanging side ledges 46 and end ledges 47. Ends 31 of the channels 30 of the pocket assemblies are entrapped by side ledges 46.

To use and assemble the pocket assembly shown, first of all the sheet 21 may be inserted in a typewriter, and words typewritten on the lip 26 (a tear-off strip 41 may be provided so that a sheet 21 can be held steady in the typewriter). Then the lip 26 is folded over at the second fold line 23 and the channel 30 slid over that fold line 23 to embrace the lip 26 and the adjacent part of the web 24. The flange 35 entraps the lip between it and the base of the channel. The protective strips 39 are removed and the sheet folded about the first fold line 22 so that adhesive seals are formed at the lateral edges 33 and 34, the channel 30 being secured to the pocket by one end of the seals at each lateral edge (see FIG. 2).

An alternative form of channel is seen in FIG. 4. Notches 32 are provided to adapt for the use of the end portions to suspend the product assemblies on rails or rods in a filing drawer.

For some purposes information may be imprinted, e.g. by typing, on the tongue 40 though this will be ob scured when the pockets are mounted in overlapping and shingled fashion as described above. Alternatively (or additionally) an information tag or strip may be inserted into the channel 30 from its ends.

The pocket of the invention is particularly advantageous for the storing of photographic negatives, e.g. microfiches, since it provides adequate protection for both surfaces of them, but allows if required part of the negative bearing indicia to project from the open mouth of the pocket, and at the same time allows the articles to be stored in a filing cabinet system or on a page-type mount and to be extracted and transferred individuatly or in bulk from one system to another. For instance it may be convenient to transfer a particular group of pockets containing negatives to a photographing station where they can be individually removed from the pockets and photographed and then, because the pockets are indentified with the negatives, be replaced in the pockets, which are maintained in their original order.

What we claim is:

I. A pocket assembly for a sheet article comprising a front panel having two faces and two lateral edges,

a back panel having two faces and two lateral edges,

the front and back panels opposing each other with a first face of each lying adjacent each other faceto-face and united at a first fold line from edge toedge of the panels at a first end of the front panel, a lip at a second end of the front panel and united to the front panel at a second fold line from edge-toedge of the panel and parallel to the first fold line, the lip overlying the second face of the front panel,

the lip and the front and back panels being a unitary one-piece sheet of material,

a channel strip having a base and two opposed and parallel side walls, the base of the channel being disposed over the second fold line with the two side walls overlying the one face of the front panel and the lip respectively,

end portions of the channel strip projecting laterally beyond respective lateral ends of the lip,

and securing means holding together the front and back panels adjacent their edges and holding the channel strip in the assembly.

2. A pocket assembly according to claim I wherein the channel strip has additionally an inturned edge flange spaced from the base a distance not less than the distance by which the lip overlies the front panel, the flange being situated at an edge of the parallel to and remote from the second fold line.

3. A pocket assembly according to Claim I wherein the back panel further comprises a symmetrically disposed extension portion projecting beyond the second end of the front panel.

4. A pocket assembly according to claim 3 wherein the channel strip is transparent.

5. A pocket assembly according to claim I wherein the securing means is an adhesive pre-applied to lateral edges of the back panel only, to extend from the first fold line to a distance from that fold line substantially equal to the distance from that fold line substantially equal to the distance of the second end of the front panel from the first fold line to enable said adhesive to engage adhesively between the back panel on the one hand and both the front panel and the channel strip on the other.

6. In combination, a plurality of pocket assemblies according to claim 1 and a generally planar mounting sheet, mounting sheet comprising opposed parallel ledges overlying and spaced from marginal portions of a backing surface of the mount, the ledges being spaced apart a distance less than the length of the channel strip but greater than the distance between lateral edges of the front and back panels, whereby each pocket assembly is retained in the mount by the end portions of its channel strip being entrapped by the opposed ledges,

the plurality of pocket assemblies forming an overlapping shingled, array of assemblies in the mount and supported by the backing with a portion of the second face of the back panel of one pocket assembly lying parallel and adjacent to a portion of the second face of the front panel of a next pocket assembly in the array,

7. In combination, a plurality of pocket assemblies according to claim 3 and a generally planar mounting sheet, the mounting sheet comprising opposed parallel ledges overlying and spaced from marginal portions of a backing surface of the mount, the ledges being spaced apart a distance less than the length of the channel strip but greater than the distance between lateral edges of the front and back panels, whereby each pocket assembly is retained in the mount by the end portions of its channel strip being entrapped by the opposed ledges,

the plurality of pocket assemblies forming an overlapping shingled array of assemblies in the mount and supported by the backing surface with a por' tion of the second face of the back panel of one pocket assembly lying parallel and adjacent to a portion of the second face of the front panel of a next pocket assembly in the array, at least part of the extension portion of the back panel of the one pocket being between the lip and the second face of the front panel of the next pocket assembly, within the channel strip of the next assembly.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the edge of the projecting portion abuts the second fold line, whereby spacing the pocket assemblies in the array.

9. The combination according to claim 7 wherein at least some of the lips bear indicia visible through the respective transparent channel strips.

10. An assembly forming a pocket for storage of photographic transparencies comprising,

a one-piece sheet having two parallel lateral edges and divided by fold lines into a front panel, a back panel and a lip, the fold lines being perpendicular to the parallel edges and a first of the fold lines defining a common edge of the front and back panels and a second of the fold lines defining a common edge of the front panel and the lip, the lip having a depth defined by the distance between the second of the fold lines and adjacent third edge of the sheet,

an adhesive layer adjacent each lateral edge of the back panel and extending along those edges a distance from the first of the fold lines equal to the distance from the first of the fold lines to the second of the fold lines,

protective strip removably protecting each adhesive layer, and

U-section channel strip of a length greater than the distance between the parallel lateral edges of the sheet, the channel having a base, two side walls and only one intumed edge flange at the edge of one side wall remote from the base, the distance between the edge flange and the base being slightly greater than the depth of the lip, the side wall having the said flange being for overlying the lip and the side wall not having the said flange being for adhesion to the adhesive layer of the back panel.

a: a: 1r 

1. A pocket assembly for a sheet article comprising a front panel having two faces and two lateral edges, a back panel having two faces and two lateral edges, the front and back panels opposing each other with a first face of each lying adjacent each other face-to-face and united at a first fold line from edge-to-edge of the panels at a first end of the front panel, a lip at a second end of the front panel and united to the front panel at a second fold line from edge-to-edge of the panel and parallel to the first fold line, the lip overlying the second face of the front panel, the lip and the front and back panels being a unitary one-piece sheet of material, a channel strip having a base and two opposed and parallel side walls, the base of the channel being disposed over the second fold line with the two side walls overlying the one face of the front panel and the lip respectively, end portions of the channel strip projecting laterally beyond respective lateral ends of the lip, and securing means holding together the front and back panels adjacent their edges and holding the channel strip in the assembly.
 2. A pocket assembly according to claim 1 wherein the channel strip has additionally an inturned edge flange spaced from the base a distance not less than the distance by which the lip overlies the front panel, the flange being situated at an edge of the parallel to and remote from the second fold line.
 3. A pocket assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the back panel further comprises a symmetrically disposed extension portion projecting beyond the second end of the front panel.
 4. A pocket assembly according to claim 3 wherein the channel strip is transparent.
 5. A pocket assembly according to claim 1 wherein the securing means is an adhesive pre-applied to lateral edges of the back panel only, to extend from the first fold line to a distance from that fold line substantially equal to the distance from that fold line substantially equal to the distance of the second end of the front panel from the first fold line to enable said adhesive to engage adhesively between the back panel on the one hand and both the front panel and the channel strip on the other.
 6. In combination, a plurality of pocket assemblies according to claim 1 and a generally planar mounting sheet, mounting sheet comprising opposed parallel ledges overlying and spaced from marginal portions of a backing surface of the mount, the ledges being spaced apart a distance less than the length of the channel strip but greater than the distance between lateral edges of the front and back panels, whereby each pocket assembly is retained in the mount by the end portions of its channel strip being entrapped by the opposed ledges, the plurality of pocket assemblies forming an over-lapping shingled, array of assemblies in the mount and supported by the backing with a portion of the second face of the back panel of one pocket assembly lying parallel and adjacent to a portion of the second face of the front panel of a next pocket assembly in the array.
 7. In combination, a plurality of pocket assemblies according to claim 3 and a generally planar mounting sheet, the mounting sheet comprising opposed parallel ledges overlying and spaced from marginal portions of a backing surface of the mount, the ledges being spaced apart a distance less than the length of the channel strip but greater than the distance between lateral edges of the front and back panels, whereby each pocket assembly is retained in the mount by the end portions of its channel strip being entrapped by the opposed ledges, the plurality of pocket assemblies forming an overlapping shingled array of assemblies in the mount and supported by the backing surface with a portion of the second face of the back panel of one pocket assembly lying parallel and adjacent to a portion of the second face of the front panel of a next pocket assembly in the array, at least part of the extension portion of the back panel of the one pocket being between the lip and the second face of the front panel of the next pocket assembly, within the channel strip of the next assembly.
 8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the edge of the projecting portion abuts the second fold line, whereby spacing the pocket assemblies in the array.
 9. The combination according to claim 7 wherein at least some of the lips bear indicia visible through the respective transparent channel strips.
 10. An assembly forming a pocket for storage of photographic transparencies comprising, a one-piece sheet having two parallel lateral edges and divided by fold lines into a front panel, a back panel and a lip, the fold lines being perpendicular to the parallel edges and a first of the fold lines defining a common edge of the front and back panels and a second of the fold lines defining a common edge of the front panel and the lip, the lip having a depth defined by the distanCe between the second of the fold lines and adjacent third edge of the sheet, an adhesive layer adjacent each lateral edge of the back panel and extending along those edges a distance from the first of the fold lines equal to the distance from the first of the fold lines to the second of the fold lines, a protective strip removably protecting each adhesive layer, and a U-section channel strip of a length greater than the distance between the parallel lateral edges of the sheet, the channel having a base, two side walls and only one inturned edge flange at the edge of one side wall remote from the base, the distance between the edge flange and the base being slightly greater than the depth of the lip, the side wall having the said flange being for overlying the lip and the side wall not having the said flange being for adhesion to the adhesive layer of the back panel. 